Churches Currently Involved: Camp Joy Church of God 903/968-3434 Cedar Springs Baptist Church 903/968-8133 Coffeeville Baptist

Church 903/968-3388 First Baptist Church of Ore City 903/968-4404 First United Methodist Church of Ore City 903/968-3833 Gods Storehouse 903/968-4620 Lakeview Baptist Church 903/968-2543 Murry League Baptist Church 903/968-2201 New Hope Baptist Church 903/968-4114 New Life Assembly of God 903/968- 4473 Southside Baptist Church 903/968-3697 United Pentecostal Church 903/968-4787

Our History: The Ore City Ministerial Alliance (OCMA) was started in 1987 by James Morrow of the Murry League Baptist Church, James Knight of The First United Methodist Church, and Mike Murphy of the First Baptist Church. Wedena Oliver of the Camp Joy Church of God joined the work in 1993. Since then, many pastors and laymen of local congregations, representatives of Ore City schools and members of the Ore City community have come together to better serve the needs of the Ore City School District. The Angel Tree program began in Ore City with the help of the OCMA in 1995. The Annual Ore City Thanksgiving Service, which takes place the Sunday before Thanksgiving in the local school cafetorium and the annual Area Wide Revival are also OCMA ministries to the community. In 2010, the OCMA added their first Annual Fall Fun Fest, in which nearly 2,000 attended, raising support for the needs of the local community. The OCMA is constantly seeking to improve upon its efforts to meet the greatest needs, to share the love of Christ, and to assist in the overall betterment of the community in which the Lord has called us to serve. We look forward to working with you, and perhaps your local congregation to accomplish great things together in His Name.

The Ore City Ministerial Alliance (OCMA) Mission Statement

The Ore City Ministerial Alliance exists to honor the Lord Jesus Christ, help the needy, and serve our community as effectively as possible through loving cooperation amongst local congregations.

How We Operate: 1. Our funds are derived by the contributions of individuals, local businesses and area churches. 2. We serve those living within the Ore City Independent School District and members of OCMA churches. 3. We encourage each person to seek assistance from their local church before the OCMA. 4. We will attempt to thoroughly validate each request before granting assistance. 5. Due to limited funds, we cannot assist any one person more than twice per year, and usually not more than once per six month period. 6. We can only pay a maximum of $100 toward any need. All outstanding amounts above this limit must be paid prior to the release of our assistance funds. 7. When grocery assistance is needed, only staple items are allowed for purchase. Alcohol, Tobacco, Magazines, Toys, Junk Food, Pet Food and Soft Drinks are not permitted. However, Personal Hygiene and Infant Care items are permitted as Groceries. 8. Utility assistance requests will require the account number for validation. 9. We work one on one with those we are helping and cannot provide funds to a third party. 10. No assistance can be granted without the agreement of at least two member ministers of the OCMA. 11. Each member of the OCMA that receives a request for help must verify the request personally before asking for a second members agreement.

What We Believe: 1. The Bible is the Word of God and the governing authority for all we do. (2 Timothy 3:16-17) 2. Repentance of sin and Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is the only means of obtaining eternal life. (Mark 1:15) 3. It is our privilege to lovingly help those in need. However, it is also our responsibility to know how we should respond to each person, conducting ourselves with wisdom, seeking to make the most of each opportunity, while being gracious in our speech. (Matthew 25:31-46, Colossians 4:5-6) 4. Jesus Christ prayed that we be one. Therefore, OCMA participants primarily focus on what unifies us, rather than what may divide us because of denominational differences. (John 17) 5. We should encourage everyone to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and belong to a local church. (2 Cor. 5:14-20 & Hebrews 10:19-25)

12. It is understood that a variety of ministries and particular practices comprise the OCMA membership. Therefore, at any scheduled meeting or function, discussion topics and speaking opportunities will be limited to that which we have agreed upon above as our core beliefs. To further assist in this effort and avoid confusion, we will also only ask ministers that are current and active members to speak at OCMA functions. 13. Any and all donations are used to meet needs in the community. 14. The organization will consist of a President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. The President acts as moderator at each monthly meeting. The Vice President is vice moderator. The Secretary records the minutes of each meeting, and the Treasurer records and reports the income and expenses of the organization. 15. The OCMA typically meets on the first Tuesday of each month. This meeting is open to official representatives of our local churches that serve in the OCMA, but it is not open to the public due to the nature of what must be discussed as we seek to meet individual needs in the community. 16. Superseding any and all of the above guidelines is the agreement of the OCMA council, which may take any particular need into further consideration as the Lord leads and directs.